As others have stated, the V6 and diesel have electrically assisted, hydraulic rack and pinion while the V8 retains the traditional system. I should have clarified that myself.

Personally, I don't like the feel of it... almost reminds me of the no feedback power steering that Chrysler had in the 60's era.

I can only wonder how a fully electric system is going to feel.

There's nothing inherent about modern electric power steering that would make it feel one way or another. It can be "tuned" just as hydraulic power steering can be. Have you driven a Cherokee? I actually find it to be rather well tuned overall--perhaps a tad underboosted in some situations. I actually think it has reasonable road feel at high speed.

As a general rule, your typical (meaning, not on this board) American has tended to favor over-boosted steering, which is why even to this day you can find plenty of vehicles to complain about if you are not of that larger group. The manufacturers tend to tune their systems to what the largest group of potential buyers will favor.

Electric power steering also brings forth a much easier ability to implement "user selectable" power steering feel. That means that as manufacturers start to do this across the line owners will no longer have to settle for a particular setting that a majority finds acceptable.

There's nothing inherent about modern electric power steering that would make it feel one way or another. It can be "tuned" just as hydraulic power steering can be. Have you driven a Cherokee? I actually find it to be rather well tuned overall--perhaps a tad underboosted in some situations. I actually think it has reasonable road feel at high speed.

As a general rule, your typical (meaning, not on this board) American has tended to favor over-boosted steering, which is why even to this day you can find plenty of vehicles to complain about if you are not of that larger group. The manufacturers tend to tune their systems to what the largest group of potential buyers will favor.

Electric power steering also brings forth a much easier ability to implement "user selectable" power steering feel. That means that as manufacturers start to do this across the line owners will no longer have to settle for a particular setting that a majority finds acceptable.

If they do implement user selectable feel then that would be a step in the right direction. Will have to wait and see, I guess.

If they do implement user selectable feel then that would be a step in the right direction. Will have to wait and see, I guess.

I believe a saw something that indicated they were going to do that with the 2016 SRT model. Sooner or later it will propagate to lower trim models as well...likely as an "option" (vehicle manufacturers are fast learning that software differences alone are profitable options).

Hydraulic steering pump factories are all but gone. There are very few vehicles without electric steering anymore. You will get used to it because that is all there will be in the future. I just read about how the car companies are getting pretty good at dialing it in.
It saves money,space and weight.
Actually I'm surprised the the 5.7 still has a cast iron block in this day and age.

The Following User Says Thank You to Houghton Lake,MI. For This Useful Post:

Grand Cherokee’s steering also has been carefully calibrated for the right amount of assistance whether cruising the parking lot or a twisty two-lane mountain road. Electric power steering adds new steering options, including Sport, Comfort and Normal (SRT-tuned steering on SRT models).

Grand Cherokee’s steering also has been carefully calibrated for the right amount of assistance whether cruising the parking lot or a twisty two-lane mountain road. Electric power steering adds new steering options, including Sport, Comfort and Normal (SRT-tuned steering on SRT models).